Rivets.

[TedW]

I'll get some pics for everyone. I ran about 15 through a piece of aluminum I had sitting around.

Which one did you get?

[crankin]

Rivet gun? I found a Chicago 4x rivet gun with about 15 tools for around $150.

I can honestly say that there is a HUGE difference in it!

[SafeAirOne]

I would suggest saving the $35 that you would spend on an air hammer an invest it on a rivet gun!!

If you don't mind used tools, there are ones available for little more than the cost of air chisels. Check around. I've never ordered from here, but they have them:

http://www.toolsez.com/chpn4xrigun.html and

http://www.toolsez.com/riveters.html

[StX_Rovers]

So I spent an hour last night setting rivets the right (counterintuitive) way. Amazing! Much cleaner and faster than the other way. Thanks!!!!!!



StX_Rovers: Is St. Croix as hilly as St. John? I was there (StJ)in January and thought about the workout my 88 would get on that island. Great place for a disc brake upgrade.....

Glad to hear it worked out for you!

No, St. Croix is the flattest of the islands. There are still some pretty steep roads, but not like St. John or St. Thomas. Because of the difference in terrain, we have much more agriculture, which is a good thing. I much prefer farm land to resorts.

We are actually on a different plate, geologically speaking, or at least a different micro plate, which accounts for the very deep water between the islands; 5000-6000 feet deep by the time you are two miles offshore on the North shore of St. Croix.

[TedW]

Here are some pics of my project:

This includes replacing all galv. trim (some new, some regalvanized) and also a new right quarter panel.

Please note the handy modification located below the light cage.

Thanks again to all who helped with advice and guidance!

Ted

[Bertha]

This includes replacing all galv. trim (some new, some regalvanized) and also a new right quarter panel.

Please note the handy modification located below the light cage.

Thanks again to all who helped with advice and guidance!

Ted

Really nice job-I really like the bottle opener "option", the Rover company forgot to put one on my truck.

[LaneRover]

Really nice job-I really like the bottle opener "option", the Rover company forgot to put one on my truck.

Actually they put a bottle opener on nearly all the metal dash trucks. There is a lip at the bottom of the dash on either side of the steering wheel and I believe on the passenger side as well which works quite well as a bottle opener!

[yank]

I tried the hand riveting method on my tub floor.

[thixon]

Yank,

From your photos, it looks like you did a repair to the rear section of the bed that bolts to the frame. Did you have a new piece of aluminum bent up?

[yank]

Ya, A friend of mine has a very nice brake. He was going to make me up a extra one, but he got real busy.